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Print 4 comment(s) - last by tayb.. on Mar 7 at 3:41 PM
Microsoft cutting prices to increase demand for Windows 8 devices

One of the most expensive parts of constructing a computer for most manufacturers isn't hardware; it's the software. This is particularly true when a mobile device such as the tablet or notebook uses the Windows operating system.
 
Sources closes to the Wall Street Journal cite that Microsoft has recently offered price breaks on key software to help spur sales. According to the sources, the Redmond, Washington-based software giant is offering discounts on Windows 8 and Office to manufacturers installing the software on small touchscreen enabled laptop computers.
 
In late February, Microsoft was offering both pieces of software together for $30 when used on touchscreen devices with screens under 10.8-inches. The typical price for that software pairing is about $120.

The software discounts should in turn result in lower prices for consumers, which translate into increased sales for Microsoft. Sales for Windows 8 continue to be lower than Microsoft had hoped.

A Microsoft spokesman said, "As we've said before, Windows 8 was built to scale across all sizes of PCs and tablets—large and small. We continue to work with partners to ensure that Windows is available across a diverse range of devices."

Source: Wall Street Journal


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Biggest problem with Windows 8
By FITCamaro on 3/6/2013 2:58:47 PM , Rating: 2
It doesn't scale at all in size. On tablets where you can't upgrade the hardware, they need to reduce the footprint.




RE: Biggest problem with Windows 8
By tayb on 3/7/2013 3:41:25 PM , Rating: 2
They need to get the restore crap off the disk. The restore stuff is taking up 15GB and the average consumer has no idea how to remove it. Just provide a restore DVD!


Anti-Trust?
By drlumen on 3/6/2013 12:59:20 PM , Rating: 1
Didn't Intel get their wrist slapped for doing something similar a few years ago? Like giving discounts to use their products.

I would also not be surprised to hear that MS punishes companies that don't buy into their scheme.




RE: Anti-Trust?
By Scrogneugneu on 3/6/2013 9:38:16 PM , Rating: 2
Intel gave discounts on the condition that no AMD products (or very little) were produced by the company. That is abusive.

Giving away your stuff to OEMs, as long as no such condition is attached to it, is perfectly okay.


"Nowadays, security guys break the Mac every single day. Every single day, they come out with a total exploit, your machine can be taken over totally. I dare anybody to do that once a month on the Windows machine." -- Bill Gates

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